Gator Growl to feature The Fray, Sister Hazel

July 22, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In celebrating the 90th year of the University of Florida’s Homecoming, Gator Growl 2013 will feature co-headliners The Fray and Sister Hazel, with special guest New Directions Veterans Choir.

Gator Growl will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the night before the UF Homecoming football game against Vanderbilt University.

The Fray is a Denver-based pop-rock band that formed in 2002. Their debut album, “How to Save a Life,” sold more than 3 million copies in the United States alone. The Fray’s most popular songs, “How to Save a Life,” “Over My Head (Cable Car),” and “You Found Me,” all spent time at the top of the charts. “How to Save a Life” even made its way onto the soundtrack of popular television show, “Grey’s Anatomy.”

In 2010, The Fray was nominated for two Grammy Awards. Its sophomore self-titled album was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album and the hit song “Never Say Never” was nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In the group’s third and latest album, “Scars & Stories,” The Fray pushed its musical style to new extremes. The hit single “Heartbeat,” is known for its catchy chorus and emotional feel.

Gainesville’s Sister Hazel joins The Fray in the Swamp for Gator Growl 2013. Members Ken Block, Drew Copeland, Ryan Newell, Mark Trojanowski and Jett Beres are ready to take the Growl stage for the second time.

The pop-rock band is most popularly known for the single “All For You” from its album, “Somewhere More Familiar.” Sister Hazel has released eight full-length albums since the band’s formation in 1993. Its two most recent albums, “Release” and “Heartland Highway,” debuted just one year apart, marking their quickest album-to-album turnaround. Between writing and recording for the next studio album, Sister Hazel maintains close ties with their fans, particularly those in Gainesville, by touring regularly and staying connected on the Internet.

In addition to The Fray and Sister Hazel’s performances, the event will feature an appearance by the New Directions Veterans Choir, an award-winning a cappella group. The choir, which has performed at more than 100 venues and events, is known for its renditions of doowop, soul, traditional gospel and popular music.

The choir has performed for NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and was featured on “NBC Nightly News,” E! Entertainment Television and more. The New Directions Veterans Choir is composed of men and women who became homeless following their service in the United States military.

The theme of UF Homecoming and Gator Growl 2013 is “Footprints of the Swamp.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.gatorgrowl.org.